This article is professionally consulted by Obstetricians – Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International Hospital.
1. What is a threatened miscarriage?
A threatened miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to an actual miscarriage. A threatened miscarriage is a condition in which the fetus is still alive hasn’t detached from the uterine lining and continues to develop in the uterine cavity, but the mother has some signs such as abdominal pain and bleeding. If this condition is detected and treated early, the fetus can be protected.
Threatened miscarriage commonly occurs in the first trimester or between 4-6 months of pregnancy. At this time, the cervix is not yet opened, and the fertilized egg's implantation in the uterus is not secure, making the fetus prone to detachment. After that, this phenomenon becomes less common. After the fetus reaches 6 months, abdominal pain with contractions but without cervical dilation is considered a threatened preterm labor.
Threatened miscarriage can be caused by factors such as:
- Chromosomal abnormalities (genetic disorder), maternal-fetal blood group incompatibility (blood type conflict between mother and baby);
- Maternal illnesses such as high fever, heart failure, or uterine diseases, increase the risk of threatened miscarriage;
- Maternal weakness due to overwork or malnutrition.
2. Recognizing the signs of a threatened miscarriage
Signs of a threatened miscarriage include:
- Vaginal bleeding, often reddish or dark brown blood mixed with mucus;
- Lower abdominal pain;
- Back pain;
- A small amount of vaginal bleeding (bright red or dark red);
- The cervix remains long and closed.
- The uterine body is enlarged and soft, consistent with gestational age.
3. Managing a threatened miscarriage in the first trimester
Most threatened miscarriage cases are caused by maternal exhaustion and weakness. Therefore, when experiencing this, the mother should rest, relaxation, stress reduction, and avoid strenuous activity. Additionally, the following precautions can help protect the fetus during the first trimester:
- Gentle exercise: Pregnant women can spend 30 minutes a day walking or doing yoga to improve health, and maintain a positive mood to deliver more easily in late of pregnancy;
- Avoid rubbing the abdomen or self-examining the vagina; this can stimulate the cervix and cause miscarriage;
- Avoid sexual intercourse during this period;
- Supplement enough nutrients, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, reduce fatty foods, and avoid raw or undercooked foods. Mothers can consider pregnancy-supportive foods like carp porridge and lotus seed sweet soup;
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, or any other substance use;
- Regular prenatal checkups;
- Use medication as prescribed by a doctor to maintain the pregnancy.
4. Preventing a threatened miscarriage
The process of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, involves many risks due to the insecure implantation of the fetus. Mothers should pay close attention to unusual bodily symptoms like bleeding. Vaginal bleeding can be alarmed by a threatened miscarriage. Mothers can prevent this positively by using some methods, including:
- Regular prenatal checkups to monitor fetal health and receive proper pregnancy care guidance.
- Folic acid supplementation, especially in the first trimester, enhances maternal health and fetal brain development. Experts recommend 400mg of folic acid daily during the first trimester to prevent neural tube defects (brain and spine defects).
- A nutritious and healthy diet: eat plenty of green vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, dairy, and fish. Dietary restrictions are also important in the first trimester. Avoid foods that can easily cause miscarriage such as mugwort, papaya, pineapple, and katuk (sauropus).
- Avoid stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, and other alcoholic beverages. Avoid or limit undercooked meat, raw eggs, and unwashed and unprocessed vegetables to reduce the risk of threatened and actual miscarriage.
- Drink at least 2 liters of water daily: Adequate hydration facilitates fluid circulation throughout the body, reducing pregnancy-related symptoms such as edema, constipation, and fatigue.
- Gentle exercise, activity, and avoiding prolonged inactivity.
- Limit sexual intercourse during the first trimester. If intercourse occurs, it should be gentle to avoid affecting the fetus.
- The earlier seeking your doctor when you detect missing a menstrual period, the better the result is. Delay can hinder early detection of abnormalities and timely treatment, negatively impacting both mother and fetus.
To protect maternal and fetal health throughout pregnancy, you should use the services of reputable healthcare facilities for regular monitoring and early detection of abnormalities.
Should exercise, exercise gently, but should not lie still for too long. Limit marital relations during the first trimester. If you have sex, it should be gentle, to avoid affecting the fetus. If you detect a missed period, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. It should not be for a long time because it may delay the detection of abnormal problems, making treatment untimely and not good for pregnant women. To protect the health of mother and baby during pregnancy, you should use maternity services at reputable medical facilities to monitor your health and detect abnormalities in your baby early.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors. Regular check-ups, early detection of abnormal problems. Maternity package helps to facilitate the birthing process. Newborns receive comprehensive care.
To arrange an appointment, please call the HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
